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Vilsack announces money to fight deadly pig virus

Ag/Outdoor

June 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says hog producers will be required to report a deadly pig virus to veterinarians as part of an increased effort from the federal government to fight the disease. Vilsack said Thursday at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines that the federal government would pump $26 million into fighting PEDv, also known as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The disease has killed about 10 percent of the country’s hog inventory over the past year.

The Des Moines Register reports producers will be required to report when they’re affected by the disease. They’ll also be expected to develop a biosecurity management plan to monitor and control their respective farms. The funding could include an additional $4 million to research a vaccine for the disease.